EFCC hands over $132,362,  N78,5m to foreign fraud victims

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has  handed over $120, 548.43, N70,602,841.46 to American, Spanish and Swiss victims of  fraud.  

A press statement by the EFCC Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, Friday in Abuja, said: “As a gesture of its commitment to tackling economic and financial crimes and offering restitution to victims of fraudulent practices, the EFCC has handed over a total sum  $132,362.43 (One hundred and thirty two, three hundred and sixty two United States Dollars fiurty three cents); N78,566, 324. 81 (Seventy eight million, five hundred hundred and twenty four Naira, eighty one kobo) to American, Spanish and Swiss victims of local fraudsters.”

Oyewale nited that, “The handover, which was performed by the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, took at the EFCC’s corporate headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.”

He said a delighted Olukoyede observed that, “The event is a demonstration of the commitment of the federal government of Nigeria and that of President Bola Tinubu to the fight against  corruption and financial crimes.

“A commitment to good governance, a commitment to stimulating the economy and a commitment to prove to the entire world that Nigeria is not a safe haven for financial crimes, a commitment to international cooperation and international synergy in the fight against financial crimes, which you will agree with me, has become a global crime.

Accoriding to Oyewale, while speaking further, the anti-corruption agency boss said, “We are here to demonstrate that the federal government of Nigeria, through the EFCC is ready to do everything possible to prevent financial crimes from being perpetrated in our system. And when one has taken place, to investigate where assets are involved, to trace, to recover and where necessary, prosecute.

“We don’t just recover, we restitute the victims. We are here this morning to restitute those who were victimised through the perpetration of economic and financial crimes. It is important to know that once proceeds of crime are recovered, the most responsible thing to do is to restitute.”

He said also handed over to the victims were vehicles and real estate, noting that: “The acting Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, Maria Higon Velasco, received the sum of $1,300 (One thousand three hundred Dollars) and evidence of N30 million already transferred to the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria for onward transmission to a victim, Maria Del Rosario San Jose.

“Senior Political Officer, First Secretary, Embassy of Switzerland, Florent Geel, received $100,011.43 (One hundred thousand, eleven Dollars and forty-three cents on behalf of a victim, Chantai Helene Lavancy, formerly known as Chantai Helene Maeder.

“Legal Attache, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Embassy of the United States, Charles Smith, received the sum of $7,344 (Seven thousand, three hundred and forty-four Dollars); N7,963,483.35 (Seven million, nine hundred and sixty-three thousand, four hundred and eighty-three Naira, thirty-five Kobo); and Bitcoin cryptocurrency valued at $4,470.00 (Four thousand, four hundred and seventy Dollars) for onward transmission to a victim, Maria Jesus Brockell.”

The spokesperson further stated: “Also received by Smith was Mercedes Benz E550 4Matic Chasis No:WDDHF9AB6AA111112, Mercedes Benz C450 AMG with Chasis No: WDD20J0641F282467, and one residential bungalow, located at 17/19 Seaman Street, Unguwar Maigero, Kaduna, Kaduna state,  for onward transmission to the victim.

“Additionally, Smith received the sum of $7,527 (Seven thousand, five hundred and twenty-seven Dollars) for onward transmission to the victim, Michael Smith. He also received the sum of $11,710.00 (Eleven thousand, seven hundred and ten Dollars) for onward transmission to the victim, Cheryle Williams.

“Lastly, Smith received the sum of N32,639,358.11 (Thirty-two million, six hundred and thirty-nine thousand, three hundred and fifty-eight Naira, eleven Kobo) for onward transmission to the victim, Marva Marrow.”

He noted that in her remarks, her Excellency Velasco expressed gratitude, stating; “This is a sign of the collaboration between Nigeria and Spain and we are very grateful for this collaboration.”

On his part, Smith said: “As the FBI Legal Attache and the representative of the US government I want to say we personally appreciate this.

“Many here may not understand what the impact this does to the victims. This gives them complete closure and it allows them to feel whole again. So we really do appreciate and we thank the EFCC.

“The EFCC is just not operating in Nigeria. The EFCC is a major global contender and you should recognise that every time.”

In the same vein, Geel, on behalf of the government of Switzerland, thanked the Government of Nigeria and EFCC for the recovery and restitution, stating: “I thank the Nigerian government and especially the EFCC for the work they have done to combat internet fraud and other financial crimes. “Today’s restitution of money obtained from a Swiss citizen demonstrates the effectiveness but also integrity, professionalism, courage and collaboration that occur between Nigeria and Switzerland. So,  thank you for this exemplary collaboration and work in making the digital world safer and better regulated.

“Switzerland will continue to work alongside the Nigeria government in the service of the security of our respective people. So thank you again.”

Also, speaking, th Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Umar Ahmed, thanked Olukoyede for his efforts in the anti-corruption fight and conveyed the felicitation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the ministry to the EFCC and the federal government.

According to him, “This is really an unprecedented development, and you cannot believe the impact that this development will have on the mandate of the ministry, because it makes our work a whole lot easier because it really enhances the credibility of Nigeria in the international scene. And it will also go a long way in restoring investors’ confidence in the country.

“And the ministry is very well with you in pursuing this mandate and want to thank you for this initiative. It demonstrates the support of our President, Bola Tinubu in the fight against corruption and also in strengthening the EFCC in carrying out its mandate.

“All of us in the ministry are really happy with this development and we’ll keep on working with you and supporting you and in carrying your mandate.”